Education in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) has long been seen as essential to student success, sometimes to the exclusion of other fields. The addition of “A” for “art” to this acronym, however, has resulted in the development of STEAM education, which prioritizes the inclusion of the arts in STEM disciplines. This all-encompassing approach to education has many advantages for charter schools, which have greater leeway to tailor teaching methods for all students. That is why a number of Georgia charter schools have worked hard to become STEM and STEAM certified!
Creativity and critical thinking are two skills that benefit greatly from STEAM education. Students are inspired to think outside the box and try new approaches to problems when the arts are integrated into STEM curriculum.
Skills like problem-solving, communication, and teamwork are highly valued in many industries, and they can be honed through this method of learning. Torey Connelly, a second grade teacher at Tybee Island Maritime Academy, illustrated this in the video below. She shared the awesome project that she set up for her students.
Practical application of that creativity is another advantage of STEAM education. Climate change and technological progress are just two of the modern-day societal challenges where interdisciplinary collaboration is necessary. STEAM education can help to prepare students for the complex and ever-changing world they will inherit by encouraging them to think critically and creatively about these issues.
Even if a student isn’t particularly interested in the STEM fields, they may still benefit from a well-rounded STEAM education. STEAM can provide a more interesting and relevant learning experience for these students, thereby increasing their interest in STEM fields.
STEAM education has the potential to improve the lives of people beyond the classroom. As a result of its ability to better equip students for jobs in growing industries like technology and engineering, STEAM education can boost economic growth and meet labor market demands.
STEAM education can be useful in many ways, and it can be especially useful in charter schools, which have more freedom in tailoring their curriculum to the specific needs of their students. A well-rounded education should include these subjects because they encourage creative thinking and critical analysis, help students get ready for the real world, and benefit society as a whole.
